Paula Robison

One of the world's foremost flute soloists, Paula Robison has performed in major concert halls and music festivals in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Far East, at the United Nations, and at the White House. At NEC, she occupies a teaching chair endowed in 2005 by Charles "Chuck" and Donna Hieken, with matching funds from the Nicholas Family Challenge.

At age 20, Robison was invited by Leonard Bernstein to be a soloist with the New York Philharmonic. Robison joined the Young Concert Artists roster and became the first American to win First Prize at the Geneva International Competition. She has been profiled on CBS-TV's "Sunday Morning," in The New York Times, Musical America, People, Women Who Rock, Virtuoso, and Ovation magazines, and has performed on television's "Live from Lincoln Center," "Christmas at the Kennedy Center," and "The Today Show."

A founding member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Robison was also a participant in the Spoleto Festival for over 30 years, earning her the Premio Pegaso and the Adelaide Ristori prizes for her contribution to Italian cultural life.

Robison has commissioned works for flute and orchestra by Leon Kirchner, Toru Takemitsu, Oliver Knussen, Kenneth Frazelle, and Robert Beaser.